Push button for a device for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product

ABSTRACT

A push button is provided for a device for packaging and dispensing a product. In one example, the device is for a cosmetic product, of the type comprising a container provided with a dispensing rod. The push button includes a body, a connection end piece to be coupled to the dispensing rod and provided with a product-dispensing channel, an actuator that actuates the dispensing rod, which actuator is movable at least partially with respect to the body under the effect of a force exerted by a user. The push button includes a transmitter that transmits the force to the dispensing rod. The transmitter is movable between an active position in which a movement of the actuator leads to the product being dispensed and an inactive position in which the movement of the actuator causes no product to be dispensed. The transmitter is typically connected to the connection end piece.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/061,211, filed Jun. 13, 2008, and to French application no. 0853267, filed on May 20, 2008, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of devices for packaging and dispensing a product. In one example, the devices are for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic product, and the devices are of the type having a dispensing rod controlled by depression, for example, a valve rod or a pump rod.

The expression “cosmetic product” is understood to mean a product as defined in Council Directive 93/35/EEC of 14 Jun. 1993.

More particularly, an example of the present invention relates to a push button having means configured to temporarily prevent product from being dispensed, for example to prevent accidental actuation of the dispensing rod.

2. Description of the Related Art

Document U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,432 describes a push button having a body, a connection end piece designed to be coupled to the dispensing rod of the associated container in order to expel the product contained in the container, and a handle for actuating the dispensing rod and produced in one piece with the connection end piece. A stud of variable section connected to a plate of the push button body is also provided. This stud engages with a groove made in the upper part of the push button and having two areas able to receive the upper end of the stud. One of the areas of the groove is designed for the actuation of the dispensing rod, the other area having a smaller size in order to be able to lock the actuating handle in position by the stud being clamped in this area. In this way the operation of the push button is prevented.

A push button is described in patent application FR-A1-2 692 559, having a body attached to a container containing the cosmetic product to be dispensed, a member for actuating a dispensing rod of the container, said actuating member being able to move relative to the body, and a member for locking said moveable rod between a first position preventing the latter from being depressed and a second position in which it can be actuated. To this end, the dispensing rod has a groove and the locking member is in the form of a disc provided with an opening into which the rod is inserted and which is designed so as to be able to prevent its actuation.

This push button has a relatively complicated design and requires the presence of a specific groove on the dispensing rod of the container in order to engage with the locking member of the push button.

A push button is also described in document US-A1-2002/0008119, having a cap that is snap-fastened onto the container containing the product to be dispensed, an end piece designed to be coupled to the dispensing rod of the container, and means for actuating the dispensing rod which are able to move between an active position in which projections on these means are opposite the coupling end piece such that the dispensing rod can be actuated and an inactive position in which the dispensing of product is prevented.

The push button described in that document has a drawback in that three separate parts manufactured individually have to be assembled.

Specifically, it is necessary to attach, to the cap of the push button, the end piece to be coupled to the dispensing rod, on the one hand, and the means for actuating said rod, on the other.

A push button is also described in document FR 2 271 995, having a body provided with a connection end piece intended to be coupled to the dispensing rod of the associated container, and a pull tab connected to the body and able to move with respect to the latter between an inactive position and an active position for dispensing product.

The push button of that document also has a drawback in that numerous separate parts manufactured individually have to be assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to remedy some of the drawbacks of conventional push buttons.

More particularly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a push button for a device for packaging and dispensing a product, for example, a cosmetic product, wherein the push button optionally dispenses product in a selective manner. The push button typically has a relatively small number of parts to be assembled.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a push button of simple design which is ergonomic and easy to use.

One subject of the invention is a push button for a device for packaging and dispensing a product, for example, a cosmetic product, of the type comprising a container provided with a dispensing rod. The push button typically includes a body, a connection end piece configured to be coupled to the dispensing rod and provided with a product-dispensing channel, a means for actuating the dispensing rod, which means can be moved at least partially with respect to the body under the effect of a force exerted by a user, and means for transmitting said force to the dispensing rod, which means are able to move between an active position in which a movement of the actuation means leads to the product being dispensed and an inactive position in which the movement of said actuation means causes no product to be dispensed.

According to a general feature, the transmission means are connected to the connection end piece. These transmission means can thus be secured to the end piece in active and inactive positions, optionally permanently or irreversibly.

Thus, it is possible to obtain particularly simple assembly of the push button inasmuch as the connection end piece and the transmission means form a unitary assembly able to be mounted on the push button body in a single operation. The transmission means are separate from the body having the actuation means.

Moreover, the force transmission means connected to the connection end piece form an intermediate safety member mounted between the actuation means and the connection end piece in order for the transmission of the force applied to the push button to be interrupted and to prevent the dispensing rod from being actuated.

Thus, in the inactive position of the force transmission means, when the user applies stress to the actuation means, the movement of the means is not prevented, but the push button is rendered inoperative by the transmission of the force exerted on the actuation means being interrupted between the area where this force is applied and the connection end piece.

Advantageously, the transmission means are able to move with respect to the connection end piece.

In one embodiment, the transmission means are produced as one piece with the connection end piece. This thus provides a particularly economical unitary assembly. The transmission means can, for example, be connected by a living hinge to the connection end piece.

Alternatively, it is possible to provide a separate pin to produce the link between the transmission means and the connection end piece.

Advantageously, the push button includes means for limiting the movement of the actuation means. These limiting means are advantageously separate from the actuation means and/or may at least partially cover the actuation means. The limiting means may also have a pressure surface which the user can press in order to move the actuation means.

According to another feature, the transmission means have a lever connected to the connection end piece and an arm configured to come into contact with the connection end piece in order to actuate the dispensing rod. The transmission means also typically have a grasping member extending through the opening in the body so as to be accessible from the outside. The lever of the transmission means is advantageously designed to be able to close off the opening in the active and inactive positions. The arm may have a protrusion for actuating the connection end piece, which protrusion is located axially between the latter and the actuation means.

Preferably, the push button also includes guidance means for the transmission means. It may also comprise means for locking the transmission means in the active and inactive positions.

One example of the invention also relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product, provided both with a product storage container comprising a dispensing rod, and with a push button as defined hereinabove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for packaging and dispensing a product and comprising a push button according to one example of the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views of the push button in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views from below this push button.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows the general structure of a device for packaging and dispensing a product, designated by the general reference numeral 10, having a push button 12 able as it is actuated to optionally dispense the contained product in a selective manner.

In one example, the device 10 is intended for the packaging and dispensing of a cosmetic product. However, it is also possible for the device to be applied to the packaging and dispensing of other types of products.

The device 10 comprises a container 14 having a general longitudinal axis X-X′ assumed to be vertical, on the upper end of which the push button 12 is mounted. The container 14 is typically produced in the form of an aerosol can, made for example of aluminum.

As is illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the container 14 in this example is terminated at an upper end by a rolled edge 16 bounding an opening forming a neck. In order to close off said neck, a cup 18 may be fastened to the rolled edge 16, in particular by crimping, expansion, snap-fastening, screwing or else in a tight fit, for example.

In order for the product contained inside the container 14 to be dispensed, the device 10 includes a valve 20 mounted on the cup 18, for example by crimping.

The valve 20 has a hollow dispensing rod 22 controlled by depression and through which the product can be dispensed. The valve 20 may be of any conventional type and may be able to be moved axially in order for the product contained in the container 14 to be dispensed. The dispensing valve 20 has a return member (not shown) for the rod 22. The dispensing rod 22 is designed here for an aerosol-type application. Alternatively, this rod may be part of a dispensing pump.

The push button 12 includes a cap or body 24 fastened to the container 14 and covering the dispensing valve 20, a connection end piece 26 coupled to the dispensing rod 22, a means 28 for actuating said rod, and means 30 mounted such that they can move between the connection end piece 26 and the actuation means 28 in order for the force applied by the user on the actuation means 28 to be optionally transmitted.

The push button body 24 forms a cover for the neck of the container 14 which typically has a generally curved shape but remains inscribed in the main cross section of the container 14.

In order for the push button 12 to be axially fastened to the container 14, the body 24 has a ridge 32, which may be circularly continuous or discontinuous and is made on the inner edge of said body 24, close to its lower end.

For this purpose, the ridge 32 is directed radially inwards and engages with an annular groove 34 in the container 14. Alternatively, it may be possible to provide a groove and a ridge made respectively on the body 24 and the container 14. The ridge 32 forms a fastening means intended for holding the push button 12 on the container 14.

Of course, it is possible to provide any other appropriate means for the mounting of the push button 12. It is, for example, possible to provide an internal thread at the lower end of the body 24 for screw mounting, or else sealing of said body on the container 14, for example by adhesive bonding or welding. In another variant, it is also be possible to provide a tight fit between the push button 12 and the container 14.

The connection end piece 26, which typically has a generally cylindrical shape, has a downwardly flared housing 36 for holding the dispensing rod 22, which housing is bounded at the top by a shoulder 38 against which said rod abuts.

The connection end piece 26 also has a dispensing channel 40. In the depicted example, the dispensing channel is coaxial with the axis X-X′, and extends axially upwards. The dispensing channel 40 is connected to duct 42, which is typically angled, and is formed integrally with the connection end piece 26. The duct 42 extends from an upper surface of the connection end piece 26 and has, at the opposite end from said end piece, a nozzle holder 44 defining an annular housing for holding a conventional dispensing nozzle (not shown). This nozzle is fed by a channel 46 of the duct 42 connected to the dispensing channel 40. In order for product to emerge, an outlet orifice 48 is made near the upper end of the body 24 of the push button 12.

In order to lock the nozzle holder 44 inside the body 24, said nozzle holder is partially continued by a rectangular tongue 50 extending axially downwards and designed to be housed between two pairs of guides 52, 54 formed integrally with the body 24.

Each pair of guides 52, 54 is connected to the body 24 near the outlet orifice 48 and extends axially downwards towards the lower end of the body 24. The guides 52, 54 define between them in pairs a radial space 56 inside which the plate 50 extends. The guides 54 bear against the rolled edge 16 of the container 14. In order for the plate 50 to be stopped axially, a radial abutment surface (not referenced) is provided on each of the guides 52. The guides 52, 54 thus form means for locking the nozzle holder 44 in position. The size of the circumference of the plate 50 is substantially equal to the spacing between the guides 52, 54.

In the example depicted in FIG. 2, the actuation means 28 itself has a pedal 60 connected by a living hinge 62 to an upper end area of the body 24 in order for it to be pivoted or articulated about an axis perpendicular to the axis X-X′. In order to form the pedal 60 on the upper part of the body 24, a generally U-shaped space 68 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is provided on the latter.

In the depicted example, the pedal 60 has, on a lower face, a projection 64 directed axially downwards towards the connection end piece 26, always remaining, however, at a distance therefrom. The pedal 60 also typically has two identical guides 66 located one on each side of the projection 64 and extending axially downwards. The body 24, the pedal 60, the hinge 62, the projection 64 and the guides 66 can be produced as a one-piece molding in a thermoplastic such as polypropylene (PP).

As will be described in more detail in the following, depending on the position of the means 30, the downward movement of the actuation means 28 can be transmitted to the connection end piece 26 and to the dispensing rod 22 in order to open the valve 20 with a view to dispensing the product contained in the container 14.

In order to limit the travel or movement of the actuation means 28, the push button 12 has means 70 provided with a body 72 mounted on the pedal 60 so as to cover its upper face and to fill the space 68. The body 72 covers the pedal 60 in such a way as to be flush with the body 24 in order that there is no surface discontinuity between these two elements.

The body 72 is typically over-molded or bi-injection molded on the pedal 60. It is produced from a relatively flexible elastomer selected to be chemically compatible with the material of the body 24 in order that it is intimately linked firstly to said body and secondly to the pedal 60. It may for example be made from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), polyester (PO) such as a Hytrel®, or else from a rubber such as Santoprene®. In a variant embodiment, the body 72 may be connected to the pedal 60 and the body 24, being held by any appropriate means, for example by adhesive bonding.

As indicated hereinabove, the elasticity of the means 70 limits the travel of the actuation means 28 when a user presses on the upper pressure surface 74 of the body 72 which forms a control surface or actuation surface with a view to dispensing the product contained in the container 14.

Moreover, the means 70 reduce the introduction of contaminants into the body 24 in order to obtain a relatively impermeable push button 12. The means 70 perform a static sealing function with the body 24 and with the actuation means 28. The expression “static sealing” is understood here to mean sealing between two parts with no relative movement.

The means 70 also enable the handling of the device 10 to be improved inasmuch as the material selected to produce the body 72 is sufficiently rough to promote adherence with the user's finger pressing against the actuation surface 74 in order to move the actuation means 28.

In order for the force exerted by the user on the surface 74 of the body 72 to be transmitted, the transmission means 30 are formed mainly of a lever 80 connected to the connection end piece 26 by way of a living hinge 82, and a deformable arm 84 designed to bring the upper surface of said connection end piece into contact with the projection 64 of the actuation means 28. The transmission means 30 are typically located in the same plane as the nozzle holder 44 and the connection end piece 26, being diametrically opposite the nozzle holder when considering said end piece.

The living hinge 82 enables the transmission means 30 to rotate as a whole about an axis parallel to the axis about which the pedal 60 pivots. The transmission means 30 are able to move with respect to the body 24, to the connection end piece 26, to the actuation means 28 and to the means 70.

As will be described in more detail in the following text, the transmission means 30 are able to move between an inactive position illustrated in FIG. 2, in which a force exerted by the user on the surface 74 is not transmitted to the connection end piece 26, and an active position illustrated in FIG. 3, in which a physical transmission of the force takes place.

The lever 80 typically extends from the living hinge 82 outwardly almost as far as an opening 86 made in the body 24 opposite the outlet orifice 48. In the example shown, the lever 80 is continued by a generally spherical grasping member 88 extending through the opening 86 so that the major part of it projects outside the body 24 in order for it to be accessible for the user.

The arm 84 is connected to the lever 80 via a rounded joining part 90 extending close to the opening 86. This joining part 90 enables the opening 86 to be closed off in the inactive position of the means 30. In this inactive position, the grasping member 88 bears here against a lower area of the opening 86.

On the side opposite the joining part 90, the lever 80 is continued by a part 92 extending downwards towards the rolled neck 16, being located close to the opening 86. In the active position of the transmission means 30, the part 92 enables said opening to be closed off. The grasping member 88 is located between the parts 90, 92. The arm 84 is flexible and deformable because it is relatively thin, for example around a millimeter thick.

At the opposite end from the joining part 90, the arm 84 has a projection or protrusion 94 extending axially upwards such that an upper portion 94 b is in contact with the projection 64 of the actuation pedal 60. The protrusion 94 also has a lower portion 94 a which is radially offset towards the outside with respect to the upper surface of the connection end piece 26, in the inactive position illustrated in FIG. 2. In this inactive position, typically only the lower portion 94 a is radially offset towards the outside with respect to the connection end piece 26. Alternatively, the upper portion 94 b could also be designed to occupy a similar position.

In the inactive position of the transmission means 30, if the user exerts a force on the pressure surface 74, the pedal 60 moves downwards and carries along the protrusion 94 by deformation of the arm 84. However, considering the relative position of the lower portion 94 a and of the upper surface of the connection end piece 26 shown in FIG. 2, there is no contact at all between these two elements. The dispensing valve 20 is thus not actuated. In this position of the transmission means 30, the movement of the actuation means 28 causes no product to be dispensed.

The transmission means 30 thus form a safety member for rendering the push button 12 inoperative without means for locking the dispensing rod 22 in position being used. To this end, the transmission of the force exerted on the pressure surface 74 towards the connection end piece 26 is interrupted.

In order to move the transmission means 30 from the inactive position into the active position, the user pivots the lever 80 about the axis of the living hinge 82 until the grasping member 88 bears against an upper part of the opening 86.

In this position, the lower portion 94 a of the protrusion 94 is located axially above the upper surface of the connection end piece 26 such that a force exerted on the pressure surface 74 is transmitted integrally and immediately by the protrusion 94 to the connection end piece 26. The movement of the actuation means 28 and of the protrusion 94 thus actuates the valve 20 and dispenses the product.

As indicated hereinabove, when the pressure surface 74 is stressed, the rotational movement of the pedal 60 is limited in its travel by the elasticity of the means 70 enabling, however, a sufficient travel for actuating the dispensing valve 20 when the transmission means 30 are in their active position.

The transmission means 30 typically are produced here in a single piece with the connection end piece 26, the duct 42, the nozzle holder 44 and the tongue 50. Advantageously, this assembly is produced by molding a thermoplastic such as polypropylene (PP).

In this embodiment, the transmission means 30 are connected to the connection end piece 26 by the living hinge 82. Alternatively, a hinge with a separate pin between these two elements may be provided.

However, producing the connection end piece 26 and the transmission means 30 in one piece is advantageous inasmuch as it is not necessary for these two elements to be assembled before they are mounted on the body 24 comprising the actuation means 28. Thus, the assembly of the push button 12 is simplified.

In order to guide the transmission means 30 as they pivot from the inactive position into the active position, and vice versa, the body 24 has typically two guides 100 formed integrally with said body and extending circumferentially on either side of the opening 86. The guides 100 are approximately diametrically opposite the guides 54, 56 and bear against the rolled edge 16 of the container 14. They ensure that any undesired circumferential movement of the transmission means 30 can be prevented.

In order to lock the transmission means 30 in position in the active and inactive positions, three-dimensional configurations having the form of grains of rice or bosses can be made on said means in order to engage with complementary portions made correspondingly on the guides 100. This thus provides material meshing which locks, non-definitively, the transmission means 30 in one of these two positions.

The transmission means 30 form a safety member mounted in between the actuation means 28 and the connection end piece 26 in order to interrupt the transmission of the force applied to the push button 12 and to prevent accidental actuation of the dispensing valve 20. The transmission means 30 move vertically upwards along the axis X-X′ of the container 14 on which the push button 12 is mounted.

In the low position of the grasping member 88, the transmission means 30 are in the inactive position in which it is not possible to actuate the dispensing valve 20 and in the high position of said member, the transmission means 30 are in the active position in which the product contained in the container 14 can be dispensed.

Since the pressure surface 74 is level with the grasping member 88 when the latter is in the high position, the product can be dispensed relatively easily, if need be, using one hand, by the user continuing the movement carried out when he moves the transmission means 30.

In order to inform the user whether these means 30 are active or not, the body 24 may have above and below the opening 86 an inscription, for example “ON” and “OFF”, respectively, printed and/or molded in relief or carried on an attached label.

Although only certain embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiment without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention. 

1. A push button for a device for packaging and dispensing a product, the device including a container provided with a dispensing rod, the push button comprising: a body; a connection end piece configured to be coupled to the dispensing rod and provided with a product-dispensing channel; means for actuating the dispensing rod, which means for actuating the dispensing rod are movable at least partially with respect to the body under the effect of a force exerted by a user; and means for transmitting said force to the dispensing rod, which means for transmitting are movable between an active position in which a movement of the actuation means leads to the product being dispensed, and an inactive position in which the movement of the actuation means causes no product to be dispensed, wherein the transmission means are connected to the connection end piece.
 2. The push button according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means are movable with respect to the connection end piece.
 3. The push button according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means are integrally formed in one piece with the connection end piece.
 4. The push button according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means are connected by a film-hinge to the connection end piece.
 5. The push button according to claim 1, further comprising means for limiting the movement of the actuation means.
 6. The push button according to claim 5, wherein the limiting means are separate from the actuation means.
 7. The push button according to claim 5, wherein the limiting means at least partially cover the actuation means.
 8. The push button according to claim 5, wherein the limiting means include a pressure surface configured to receive a user input in order to move the actuation means.
 9. The push button according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means include a lever connected to the connection end piece and an arm that comes into contact with the connection end piece to actuate the dispensing rod.
 10. The push button according to claim 9, wherein the transmission means also include a grasping member extending through an opening in the body and accessible from outside the body.
 11. The push button according to claim 10, wherein the lever of the transmission means closes off the opening in the active and inactive positions.
 12. The push button according to claim 9, wherein the arm includes a protrusion that actuates the connection end piece, which protrusion is located axially between the connection end piece and the actuation means.
 13. The push button according to claim 1, further comprising guidance means for guiding the transmission means.
 14. The push button according to claim 1, further comprising means for locking the transmission means in the active and inactive positions.
 15. A device for packaging and dispensing a product, provided both with a product storage container comprising a dispensing rod, and with a push button according to claim
 1. 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the product is a cosmetic product.
 17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the product is a cosmetic product.
 18. A push button for a device for packaging and dispensing a product, the device including a container provided with a dispensing rod, the push button comprising: a body; a connection end piece configured to be coupled to the dispensing rod and provided with a product-dispensing channel; an actuator that actuates the dispensing rod, which actuator is movable at least partially with respect to the body under the effect of a force exerted by a user; and a transmitter that transmits said force to the dispensing rod, which transmitter is movable between an active position in which a movement of the actuation means leads to the product being dispensed and an inactive position in which the movement of the actuation means causes no product to be dispensed, wherein the transmission means are connected to the connection end piece.
 19. The push button according to claim 18, wherein the transmitter is movable with respect to the connection end piece. 